The specialists of the Central Asia Climate Change and Green Energy Project Office (CACF) have researched the environmental issues facing Kyrgyzstan ahead of the upcoming summit.
As noted by the fund, Kyrgyzstan, which ranks fourth in area among the countries in the region, is facing numerous serious environmental problems. In the capital, Bishkek, residents suffer from smog, and the country has accumulated vast amounts of hazardous waste. Glaciers are rapidly melting, water resources are being used irrationally, and ecosystems are under threat of degradation, increasing the likelihood of natural disasters.
In winter, Bishkek often ranks among the ten cities with the highest air pollution levels in the world. This is due to several factors, including geographical location, the use of coal for domestic heating (over 60% of emissions) and in thermal power plants, as well as the increasing number of cars and, consequently, emissions from them.
The situation with waste remains extremely concerning. The republic has 92 tailings storage facilities containing over 250 million cubic meters of toxic and radioactive waste, posing a threat to the ecology and groundwater. Additionally, the waste collection and recycling system in Kyrgyzstan proves to be ineffective. Landfills for solid waste, such as those in Bishkek, are overcrowded and do not meet modern environmental standards.
Pollution and depletion of water resources also raise serious concerns. Global warming contributes to glacier melting, while water bodies are contaminated by runoff from industrial and agricultural sources, and wastewater treatment facilities in the country are in poor condition.
Degradation of ecosystems caused by unbalanced use of pastures, deforestation, soil erosion, and desertification leads to loss of biodiversity and increases the risk of natural disasters.
Kyrgyzstan faces a high risk of earthquakes, landslides, floods, and other natural disasters. Climate change in recent years has led to an increase in mudflows, hail, frosts, and droughts, negatively impacting the agricultural sector. The summer heat of 2025, in particular, resulted in a 14.2% decrease in grain yields.
Economic difficulties limit the government's ability to finance environmental initiatives and measures for environmental protection.
The regional environmental summit, which will take place from April 22 to 24, 2026, in Astana, will serve as a platform for discussing the environmental requests of Central Asian countries and possible ways to address them.
